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Alex Smithies

Goalkeeper

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About Alex

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HAVING come through the academy of the club he grew up supporting, Smithies made his first team debut on December 5th 2007 for Huddersfield. He came on as a 76th minute substitute for the red-carded Matt Glennon during Town's 4–1 defeat by Southend United at Roots Hall.

His first full start came in the 4–0 defeat at Leeds United on 8th December, after Glennon lost an appeal against his dismissal and Town were refused permission to loan an emergency goalkeeper on the grounds that Smithies was registered as a professional.

Smithies became the first choice keeper for the remainder of the 2008/09 season and after the arrival of manager Lee Clark, made the number one jersey his own.

Throughout the 2009/10 season, Smithies was the only player to play in each and every league and cup game for Huddersfield. He made 48 starts, 17 of which resulted in a clean sheet for the Terriers. His contribution in helping Huddersfield to a final position inside the League One playoffs was reflected by him winning the club's Young Player of the Year Trophy.

In conceding just 56 goals in such a competitive campaign, he won both praise and admiration from many quarters; earning the Football League's 'Young Player of the Month' award in February 2010 along the way.

After playing over 250 games for the Terriers, Smithies signed for Queens Park Rangers in August 2015. The 27-year-old has gone on to make over 60 appearances for the Hoops and is seen as one of the club’s best signings over the last few years.

In the 2016/17 season, Smithies was in outstanding form throughout the whole campaign and became somewhat of a penalty kick specialist – saving three, including two against Fulham. He was deservedly voted as Player of the Season and was also nominated for two categories at the London Football Awards.